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Franklin Township family with disabled children gifted trip to Disney World

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Alexus Dick, age 12, smiles with excitement after being told she will be going on vacation to Florida. Frank Squeo of Baking Memories 4Kids surprised Alexus and her brother Zane, with the news at their home in Franklinville on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Also pictured, Zane Dick, age 2, right, and Becky Dick, center. (Staff Photo by Brad Kingett/South Jersey Times)

For the two parents, who also have a 1-year-old daughter, their day-to-day activities are limited by how much both Zane and Alexus have to depend on them for even the most basic tasks.

“Sometimes it’s hard getting up in the morning knowing the steps you have to go through just to do something fun,” said Becky. “It’s tiring, but I wouldn’t change it for anything else in the world.”

“The kids are always cooped up,” added Edward.

So when a mutual friend referred their story to Baking Memories 4 Kids, a Manhattan-based charity, which raises money to send children with terminal and debilitating diseases and their family on dream vacations, they didn’t know what to expect.

It wouldn’t be much later that the family received a phone call from Frank Squel, founder of the charity organization, about how they would be getting an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando for the whole family.

“I was shocked,” said Becky. “I didn’t believe it.”

Squel started the company about a year ago, after surviving a tumultuous battle with testicular cancer that began in 2007.

After surviving his bout with cancer, he said he wanted to do something to help out the families of those who have children suffering through debilitating illnesses.

“I decided to make it something positive out of a tragedy in my life,” said Squel.

His website, www.bakingmemories4kids.com, allows parents to “nominate” parents for the chance at a vacation like the Dicks just received.

Squel said he raises all the money for the vacations through selling the cookies online, adding that the approximately $15,000 trip to Orlando was entirely paid for through cookie sales.

Seeing the Dicks surrounded by the friends and family as they revealed the surprise to both Alexus and Zane, Squel said he values being able to make families’ like the Dicks’ lives a bit easier — even if it’s just for one week.

“It’s so rewarding to sit with them and give them a week away from their problems,” said Squel.

So with the prospect of Universal Studios, Disney World, MGM Studios and Seaworld all on the docket for this week-long vacation, Becky said there’s one thing she’s looking forward to seeing when she and her family first land in Orlando.

“Harry Potter,” said Becky with a grin on her face. “I’m a huge fan. I’m so excited.”